For half a century, residents of New York have been throwing plastic bags filled with waste directly onto the sidewalk. These bags often break, spilling trash and providing feasts for rats.
In winter, the garbage buried under the snow reinforces the city’s reputation as dirty.
New Garbage Routine in New York
New Yorkers are adjusting to a new routine: putting their garbage in covered containers. Since the beginning of this month, it is mandatory for all residential buildings with fewer than 10 units to use covered containers.
All businesses in the city already implemented this measure earlier this year.
“I know this must sound absurd to anyone living in other cities,” said Jessica Tisch, former sanitation commissioner. “But it’s revolutionary for New York, where we have placed our garbage directly on the sidewalks for 50 years.”
Residents who have used containers in other cities agree that it was time for New York to catch up.
Twenty Million Kilos of Waste per Day
New York generates about 20 million kilos of waste daily, of which approximately 11 million are collected by the sanitation department. Much of the rest is handled by private collectors.
In the early 20th century, the city required that garbage be placed in metal bins, but the use of plastic bags was adopted after a strike in 1968, where bag manufacturers donated thousands to help clean up the city.
“The plastic kept odors more contained, and sanitation workers preferred bags for their lightness and apparent cleanliness,” explained Steven Cohen, dean of Columbia University.
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration considers garbage bags as Public Enemy Number 1 in its war against rats. Rats easily puncture plastic bags, but covered containers should, in theory, keep them away.
Challenges of the New Requirement
The new requirement for covered containers comes with challenges, such as finding space in neighborhoods without yards, alleys, or garages. Owners must pick up the empty containers from the sidewalk in the morning, a task they didn’t have with plastic bags.
Caitlin Leffel, a Manhattan resident, said her building had to hire someone “at a surprisingly high cost” to manage the containers three times a week. Superintendents also complain about the additional work.
“This has completely rearranged our lives,” said Dominick Romeo, founder of NYC Building Supers, a group that protested against the new requirements.
Future of Garbage Collection
Eventually, larger residential buildings will have their designated container on the street, and new automated garbage trucks will empty them. Although these improvements should make collection easier and cleaner, garbage collectors are still handling bags manually.
Starting January 2, officials will issue fines ranging from 50 to 200 dollars for non-compliance with the new rules.
“No one wants to live on a dirty street,” said Tisch. “No one wants to walk past a pile of garbage and garbage juice on their way to work or back home with their kids from school.”
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